HOW IS THE GAMBIAN OPPOSITION FARING IN THE LEAD TO THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION?

HOW IS THE GAMBIAN OPPOSITION FARING IN THE LEAD TO THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION?

The detention and trial of the UDP leadership did dampen spirit a bit as the remaining executive waited for an early outcome. For the sake of solidarity, some also toned down their activities.

The pressure of the population for an alternative is pushing opposition parties to take the political stage. The movements of political parties are becoming more and are visible. The press release from the UDP and the movement of its officials to visit their supporters is giving a clear signal that opposition political activity is on the rise.

The Gambian people should follow these activities and judge for themselves what each party is offering as a party, and what type of coalition they are proposing if they are in support of a coalition. There are comments being made that the hostile exchanges being made by supporters of different political parties are signs that the opposition parties are in disarray. This is an opinion worth interrogating.

The reality is that some political supporters see party politics as a football match where opposing sides may throw blocks and bottles at each other for fun. They personalise their support for a team just like they do for a party. Many people transform their personal opinions into the policies of a political party and thus misrepresent them. What the opposition is going to do is yet to be decided.

Hence it is not worth the while to predict doom and gloom before the facts reveal themselves. One must say that it is a healthy sign to see political parties up and running. Whether they will unite or not is not a matter for speculation, it is a matter for investigation before drawing conclusion. Foroyaa will contribute to this investigation on what to expect from each party in the lead to the 2016 presidential election.